Rhea turned away.
Just… tired.
One step. Then another.
Ling moved without thinking.
She came up behind Rhea and wrapped her arms around her—firm, enclosing, familiar. Not to trap. To anchor. Her forehead pressed between Rhea's shoulder blades, breath uneven for the first time.
"Please," Ling said.
That word almost never left her mouth.
Rhea froze. She didn't push away—but she didn't lean back either.
Ling's voice was low, rough, stripped of dominance. "We both know this."
Rhea swallowed.
"We can never be apart," Ling continued quietly. "Not really."
Rhea's fingers twitched at her sides.
Ling tightened her hold just a fraction. "We might not die without each other." A pause. "But we won't live either."
That landed.
Rhea's breath broke. "That's not healthy," she whispered, even as her body betrayed her by softening.
Ling shook her head slightly against her back. "It's the truth."
Rhea laughed weakly. "You make it sound like a fact."
Ling's mouth curved—not a smile. Something sharper. Sadder.
"It already is."
Rhea turned her head just enough to speak without looking at her. "Then why does it hurt this much all the time?"
Ling loosened her grip so Rhea could turn if she wanted—but she didn't step away.
"Because we keep pretending we're optional to each other," Ling said. "And we're not."
Rhea closed her eyes. "You scare me when you say things like that."
Ling's arms slid lower, hands resting at Rhea's waist, grounding instead of claiming. "Good," she said softly. "Because I scare myself too."
Silence stretched—heavy, breathing, alive.
Rhea finally spoke, voice small and raw. "I don't want anyone else in that space."
Ling's jaw tightened. "Then don't offer it to them."
Rhea turned then—slowly—until they were facing each other, foreheads almost touching.
"But I don't know how to stay without losing myself," Rhea whispered.
Ling lifted a hand, stopping just short of Rhea's cheek. Didn't touch. Let the restraint speak.
"Then stay," Ling said, eyes dark and steady. "And we'll learn where to loosen without letting go."
Rhea searched her face, tears pooling, anger finally exhausted.
"You promise?" she asked.
Ling didn't answer with words.
She leaned in—forehead to forehead—breathing her in, staying still, staying present.
Obsession, yes.
But also choice.
And for now, that was enough to keep neither of them walking away.
Ling eased Rhea down onto the couch, slow and careful, like she was handling something breakable. Rhea didn't resist—she curled into Ling naturally, back against her chest, legs drawn up.
Ling's hand moved on instinct, fingers threading gently through Rhea's hair, grounding both of them.
"I want to tell you something," Ling said quietly.
Rhea tilted her face up just enough to look at her. Her eyes were tired but open. She nodded. "Okay."
Ling exhaled, long and controlled. "Last night… what happened." Her fingers stilled for a second, then resumed their slow rhythm. "Trust me when I say this—I don't want anything hidden between us. Not secrets. Not walls."
Rhea's lips curved into a small, sad smile. "You always say 'sometime'," she murmured. "When will that time come?"
Ling looked down at her, eyes softening despite herself. "Maybe," she said thoughtfully, "in our seventh makeout session."
Rhea blinked. Then laughed—a real laugh this time, light and cracked at the edges. "Ling, we already made out four times."
Ling's mouth twitched. "Then two more," she said calmly. "After that—no barriers."
Rhea stared at her for a moment, searching her face, as if trying to find doubt there.
She didn't.
Instead, Rhea pushed herself up just enough to wrap her arms around Ling's neck and hugged her tight, burying her face against her shoulder.
"You're impossible," Rhea muttered.
Ling's arms came around her immediately, firm and protective, holding her like she was staying no matter what. "You're patient," she replied. "Even when you don't want to be."
Rhea's voice was muffled against her. "I don't need perfect. I just need you honest."
Ling rested her chin lightly against Rhea's hair. "Then stay," she said. "Because I'm not running. I'm just… pacing."
Rhea sighed, the tension easing out of her body at last. "Fifth time better be worth it."
Ling smirked faintly, pressing a quiet kiss to the top of her head. "It always is with you."
They stayed like that—no teasing, no heat, no arguments.
Just counting time together instead of counting distance.
Ling leaned down and kissed her.
It wasn't rushed. It wasn't hungry.
It was steady—like she was sealing something fragile in place.
Rhea kissed her back immediately, fingers curling into Ling's shirt, breath catching as if she'd been waiting for permission she never needed.
"Ling," Rhea whispered against her lips.
"Hm?" Ling murmured, not pulling away, her mouth still brushing Rhea's.
Rhea swallowed, eyes shining. "Don't ever let me go. Even if I say it. Even if I shout it. I never mean it."
Ling froze for half a second.
Then her arms tightened around Rhea—strong, enclosing, absolute. She pulled Rhea closer until there was no space left to misunderstand.
"I won't," Ling said quietly. No drama. No vows. Just certainty.
"Even when you push. Even when you're angry. Even when you think you want freedom."
Rhea's forehead dropped against Ling's collarbone. "What if I hurt you again?"
Ling's hand slid up Rhea's back, slow and grounding. "You will," she said honestly. "And I'll survive it. Because losing you would hurt worse."
Rhea let out a shaky breath. "You're unfair."
Ling tilted her head down, brushing her nose through Rhea's hair. "I'm consistent."
Rhea laughed softly, tears slipping anyway. "That's not better."
Ling kissed her temple. Then her cheek. Then the corner of her mouth—gentle, patient, nothing taken without permission.
"You don't get to leave," Ling murmured. "But you also don't get trapped. You stay because you want to. Every time."
Rhea lifted her head, eyes red but fierce. "Then stop acting like I'll choose someone else."
Ling met her gaze, thumb brushing under Rhea's eye. "Then stop walking toward them when you're hurting."
Silence. Heavy—but calmer now.
Rhea nodded once. "Deal."
Ling pulled her back into her chest, chin resting over Rhea's head, arms locked around her like a quiet shield.
"Sleep here," Ling said softly.
Rhea curled into her without hesitation. "Only if you don't disappear."
Ling held her tighter. "I'm right here," she said.
"And I'm not going anywhere."